Yarn and Fibre Festivals

Take the UK. A few years ago, North of Watford, there was Woolfest, the Massam Sheep Fair, Wonderwool Wales and not really much else.

‘Herdies’ or Herdwick sheep at Woolfest

Now, even here in Scotland – where perhaps the midges, and a national population of only 5.3m (to give that some context, the population of London England is about 8.7m) would, you’d think cause slower growth – there are lots and lots of fibre and yarn festivals. but we make up in enthusiasm for what we lack in numbers up here in the North of Britain…

Woolfest in Cumbria in the North of England continues to thrive and I volunteer at it every year. Just love their sheep and spinning focus of course. The Rheged Centre, also in Cumbria now has a wee wool festival in the spring. They showed the film Yarn in the Rheged film theatre. I totally love that movie by the way…

As the knitters, spinners, crocheters, felt makers and weavers just keep growing in numbers, the yarn festivals are multiplying. All are busy and there are many, many more that I have not mentioned.

Lots of you come to the courses at EYF and all of their courses have filled up fast. In fact, the second year I taught there, they started out by asking me to do two and I ended up doing five courses. I did get to have a very quick tour round the Festival in the last 20 minutes and yes, it is surprising what you can buy in 20 minutes… Like all of the Festivals, EYF is unique and in particular it has a very international clientele. There were people on the courses I taught there from New Zealand, Russia, Norway, Poland and more.

And I volunteer on the Woolclip stall at Woolfest most years, (the only year I missed was when I was away doing my Knit 1 bike 1 project) and I just love Woolfest, the Woolclip and all of it. So glad to do my bit there. The Woolclip is the cooperative that organises Woolfest and also the shop. Higham Hall sometimes have courses in conjunction with Woolfest and I have taught a couple of those over the years too. Along with all the regular courses I have done there over the years, and the recently added Higham Knitting Retreats.

So this year, check out Perth festival of Yarn. I will be there both days and am teaching spinning, crochet and weaving. Can’t wait.